Tonic Plantain Grower`s Guidelines

Tonic Plantain Grower’s Guidelines
What is Plantain? (Plantago)
Plantain is a ribbed leafy perennial herb with a
fibrous root system which can produce a forage
crop that can be fed to both cows and sheep.
The forage produced is extremely palatable
and provides an excellent source of calcium,
sodium, copper and selenium.
The growth pattern of Tonic Plantain shows that
it can be particularly useful for summer and
autumn grazing.
If you are sowing Plantain as a straight stand,
a sowing rate of 8-10 kilos per hectare is
recommended. Drilling the seed is best but
broadcasting the seed and then rolling can also
be successful.
You can also incorporate Plantain into grass and
clover ley mixtures at a rate of 2- 4 kilos per
hectare depending on the content you require.
Spring sowing is preferred but with the latest
sowing date is July.
You can treat fertiliser
applications as you do with
grass and clover leys, 70
kilos of N per hectare can
improve establishment.
Plantain is more persistent
than Chicory, and can remain
productive for 2-3 years. It
can be grown on its own as
a pure stand, or mixed with
a grass and clover ley. Plant
numbers will decline over
time depending on weed
control, fertiliser applications
and grazing management.
Grazing
Establishing the Crop
Plantain can be established on a range of soil
types, however it will persist longer if grown on
free draining soil. Avoid fields that are prone to
waterlogging. A firm, fine seed bed is required
and as weed free as possible.
Weed control is best carried out before sowing
as post emergence control is limited. Plantain
likes to be sown into warm soils (10-12°C if
possible) the seed is small, so sowing depth
should be no greater than 10mm.
www.lgseeds.co.uk/
Rothwell, Market Rasen,
Tel: 01472 371471
Lincolnshire, LN7 6DT
[email protected]
@lgseedsuk
Plantain should not be
grazed until the plant has
six fully grown leaves and
the root system is fully
developed. Once the plant is at this stage, it
can be rotationally grazed and have a faster
regrowth potential.
In New Zealand, Plantain is used to extend
grazing periods, improve the supply of trace
elements, and improve forage quality, especially
in the summer months.